The last day of April was my last day as an “Assistant Pastor” and employee at Last Chance Chapel. Whitney and i sat on the porch the next day and stared blankly at each other, wondering what exactly it is that we had done… Then with a sigh, a heave of trust, and a nothing-we-can-do-about-it-now smile, we said “Well, we get to go die” (meaning of course, die to ourselves [i think]). Mrs. Carey, did i use those brackets correctly? Immediately Augustus started dancing around excitedly singing “we’re gonna die, we’re gonna die…” =D Please don’t call CPS.
The next week my dad and i flew to Japan on standby tickets to find an apartment, car, and the suchlike — we were met with exceptional Grace from Jesus. i was going with a great deal of trepidation because i’ve heard it’s pretty difficult for a foreigner to secure an apartment even if he’s got plenty of money. To make it more tricky, my VISA had not come in yet meaning we were there on a tourist VISA. Fat chance we’d be able to get one. But to make a long story short (and to use an annoying cliche’), the Lord provided a house!—the first day we looked!—to the tune of $430 a month!—right where we would have chosen to live!—month to month, with only an $800 deposit!—and they’re putting brand new tatami flooring in it!
The whole time, He seemed to over-bless us and confirm that He had come before us, and prepared a place for us… and a car, and a washer, and a fridge, and the list goes on.
i’m back in Montana now, packing and preparing. In two and a half weeks, Whitney and i, along with our two sons will be boarding an AirCanada flight and hopping the pond (last cliche’ i promise).
One last interesting thing, i just realize that the way the dates worked out and not on purpose, we are leaving Montana exactly 20 years after i arrived here as a five year old, to the day. :)
Just following Jesus,
joseph&whitney
